SYDNEY, Australia (AP) -- Less than a month before the Summer Olympics, the word from Sydney is: Brrrrr!

 Fans huddled in their warmest winter clothes and athletes donned full body suits as the Australian Olympic track trials opened Thursday, with organizers hoping for better weather as the city becomes the focus of international attention.

 A chill descended on the 110,000-seat Olympic Stadium at the trials as the sun made a brief appearance before setting behind a nearly empty western stand. The high temperature Thursday was 51 degrees and the forecast for the next three days ranged from temperatures of 48 to 68 degrees.

 The weather forecast was for intermittent showers Friday and Saturday, with skies clearing Sunday. The forecast high for Friday was 61.

 The unseasonal cold snap, which is causing temperatures to plummet below freezing in the Blue Mountains about 30 miles west of the stadium, was expected to continue through the weekend.

 The games open Sept. 15, in the early stage of the Australian Spring.

 Two weeks ago, snow dusted the outskirts of Sydney but meteorologists said the demise of La Nina, which brought near-record rainfall and severe flooding to parts of Australia the past two years, has increased the possibility of dry weather for the games.

 International Olympic Committee president Juan Antonio Samaranch has expressed concern about the weather.

 Australian weathermen said they expect a return to normal conditions -- mostly dry, with temperatures ranging between 54 and 70 degrees -- in Sydney during the Olympics.

 It was far less pleasant than that on Thursday.

 Spectators huddled in scattered groups to witness the last tune-up event for the Sydney 2000 centerpiece before the opening ceremony.

 Officials estimated more than 100,000 tickets had been sold for the three-day trials but only a few thousand people braved the overcast and gloomy conditions on the opening day.

 Andrew Mason, who flew to Sydney from interstate to get a sense of the pre-games atmosphere, said it was too cold to enjoy the selection trials.

 "It would be okay in a packed crowd, that would keep you warm," he said. "I can see there'd be a great buzz also with all the foreign stars, but it's not that great today."

 Rain held off but the breeze that swirled consistently around the stadium was enough to make some athletes shiver, including sprinter Matt Shirvington.

 Shirvington, wearing a full-length bodysuit, qualified fastest in heats of the men's 100 meters, clocking 10.29 seconds.

 "I wore the suit because I felt comfortable in it this morning," Shirvington said. "It's not a statement or anything. It's not that warm really, but it's better than nothing.

 "I've got another suit that I'll probably wear in the next few days."

 He said he wasn't happy with his race but was confident he'd perform better in a head-to-head against Patrick Johnson in Friday's final.

 For most athletes, the trials are the last chance to gain a spot on the Australian team and the rare privilege of competing in an Olympics on home soil.

 The first day took its toll, with Atlanta silver medalist Louise Currey falling and injuring her knee after produced the winning throw in the women's javelin. She has suspected ligament damage and is in extreme doubt for the games.

 Clair Fearnley, favorite for the 1,500 meters, collapsed with a suspected hamstring strain late in the race.

 The most notable absentee was dual 400-meter world champion Cathy Freeman, Australia's top hope for a gold medal on the track in Sydney.

 Freeman, who took silver behind Marie-Jose Perec at Atlanta in 1996, has already qualified for the Olympics and chose to continue competing in Europe rather than return Down Under for the trials.

 Australia has not won a track gold medal since Debbie Flintoff-King won the women's 400 hurdles at Seoul in 1988, but team officials are predicted the athletics team to pick up six medals in Sydney.